A Snowbird in Paradise

Sitting on the patio eating lunch, I lamented that we just didn't see much this late in the season. I was wondering if the birds had gone North with the Snowbird Tourists. Then within a few minutes I got pictures of:Northern Mockingbird

A familiar sight at bird feeders, the boldly patterned Blue Jay is unmistakable. It is abundant in the East and is extending into the West, using food and shelter provided by humans.

• Large songbird.
• Crest on head.
• Upperparts various shades of blue.
• Size: 25-30 cm (10-12 in)
• Wingspan: 34-43 cm (13-17 in)
• Weight: 70-100 g (2.47-3.53 ounces)
• Sexes alike.
• Very vocal; make a large variety of calls. Most frequent call is a harsh "jeer." Also clear whistled notes and gurgling sounds.
  

About an hour North of us, there is a small neighborhood that is plagued or blessed (as your point of view) with peacocks. Since we had to be in the area, I hauled my camera along and when we had time, we drove over to that neighborhood.

What a sight! There was about a 2-block area with a good 40 peacocks and peahens. You could hear them way before you could see them. Although the peacocks were screaming, none were moved to display their magnificent tails.

I was in college when the Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny instrumental music was popular: Sounds of Paradise, chirping birds punctuated with an occasional squawk of a Macaw all set to lovely music. Exotica, Quiet Village, Jungle Drums. So restful...right?

Many evenings right at sundown we sit by the lake and watch for whatever we might see...birds reptiles, rolling otter, skydivers. Lately we have done as much listening as watching.

It started with the first squawks out of the young Sand Hill Cranes about 1/4 mile away. Now, 3-4 months old, their voices are piercing; ear-splitting. This particular set of parents had 2 offspring this year, rather than the more common 1 baby. Attempts by a third Sand Hill Crane youngster to join them have been rebuffed. For the last couple of days one sibling has sat at the far end of the one-mile island preserve in the middle of our long lake and the other has sat on the shore of the bay on which we live at the other end. Figure that for a full mile and they are hollering back and forth most of the day. OK ...I can live with that, though not happily, but today they started their loud communication at 8 minutes to 7 in the morning. And the closest Sand Hill was on the utility wires by our bedroom window. I was so annoyed I didn't even take a photo of it. That bird balanced, just barely with those long legs, and yelled until the Macaw a neighbor owns screamed the bird away...about an hour later.

I thought the annoying crows were bad. I even found a Mockingbird less than charming after an hour of his songs. But these cranes are something else! I wish I could record the early morning din and share it with you.

Did I say "early morning"? Like teenagers, the birds are often hollering late at night...midnight to 2 in the morning. Usually not all that close, though. Then there is some other bird. It might be a small owl. "Hoot, Hoot" added to the crane din is enough when you need sleep to really strain the patience.

This evening I wandered out to the lake to watch and photograph the two baby Sandhill Cranes who were much closer than yesterday.

Then while I watched one of the parents flew in, it seemed, to check on the babies. A neighbor out working on his house was sure the parent would soon be chasing me. He should have grabbed HIS camera. It would have been quite a photo. However, the adult Sandhill Crane just watched me and, when I was getting too close, she few off.

One evening I took my new camera to the public park and walk-way along the Indian River Lagoon. The park includes long wooden piers out into the water. While I was out on one of the walks this fellow glided by. He was going slowly enough and motionless enough for me to get this picture.

How can you be interested in the Flora and Fauna in Florida without getting a cold chill when you look at the sky and see this? All year the conditions have been dry...way below normal rainfall. While this is great for the beach and the tourists, no one WANTS to see brush fires. The dryness of the brush is as much a part of the weather report as sunshine and temperatures. The photo above was from the yard, but was miles away. It didn't even get a mention on the news.
Who are my two buddies? I heard this squeaky, chirpy call and looked out to see the Great Egret and the Wood Stork from yesterday looking for me. They looked SO ready to play or something that I just had to go out and talk to them. Now I am updating the blog and they are still standing there. I will go out in a minute and go down to the bench by the water. I know they will follow me. What do they want? They CAN'T consider me a companion...could they?